‘Notables’ tops Lansing literary events this month

Authors, poets and readers in the Capital City need to get ready to “kick out the jams” in April, because three major literary events are on the calendar — two of which were canceled for the last two years out of pandemic precaution. 

On April 30 the Library of Michigan Foundation will host its Night for Notables event featuring authors who have won the Michigan Notable Book Awards in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Keynoting the event will be the legendary “Kick Out the Jams” MC5 member Wayne Kramer, whose memoir, “The Hard Stuff: Dope, Crime, the MC5 and My Life of Impossibilities,” was in the 2019 selection of Michigan Notable Books. Kramer’s book explores the depths and highs as one of the cofounders of the revolutionary band of the 1960s and his successful fight for sobriety.

Stephen Mack Jones, one of the award-winning authors with Lansing roots, will also attend. Jones, 67, wrote three thrillers set in Detroit, two of which have won Michigan Notable Book awards. Jones grew up in Lansing, graduating from Sexton High School in 1972 and then Michigan State University in 1977 with an advertising degree.

 Jones began writing after retiring from a long career in the Detroit advertising industry. He said he is in the final stages of his fourth book featuring ex-Detroit cop August Snow, whom Jones refers to “as defending what is right for those you love.”

“For someone who got his first library card at age 5, this award is a wonderful honor,” Jones said. “The Library of Michigan is so supportive of authors, libraries and librarians.”

Kramer and Jones will join more than 30 authors at the Library of Michigan for a night honoring Michigan literature. Kramer will speak at 6 p.m, followed by a reception with refreshments and drinks. Guests will be able to mingle with authors, purchase books and have the books autographed. The event is $50 for in-person seats and $20 for remote viewing. The proceeds go to the Library of Michigan Foundation to be used for a statewide author tour. To register, go online to Night for Notables – Library of Michigan Foundation. 

It’s also not too late to register for the Rally of Writers, which is Saturday (April 9). It is one of the longest-running writers workshops in the country. The featured writer this year is Doug Stanton, whose book “In Harm’s Way” won a Michigan Notable Book Award in 2002. Stanton has written three successful non-fiction books, two of which have had movie treatments, including a film based on “The Horse Soldiers.”

The rally is at the Conference Center at the West Campus of Lansing Community College in Delta Township. Online registration is available here Registration – A Rally of Writers (wordpress.com). Registration is $98.50 for adults and $63.50 for students.

Other authors presenting include local authors Lev Raphael, poet Ruelaine Stokes and Erin Bartels, Michael Zadoorian and Jeff Vande Zande.

On Sunday (April 10), the Mid-Michigan Antiquarian Book Dealers Association will host its semi-annual Antiquarian Book and Paper Show at the Causeway Bay Hotel and Conference Center. It’s been around for over 30 years and is organized by Ray Walsh, owner of Curious Book Shop and Archives Book Shop in East Lansing.

This year, more than 30 book sellers will participate selling both rare and popular books. The variety of books will range from children’s books to miniature books and everything in between. Expect to spend anywhere from a few dollars for a book to a few thousand for a Civil War-era map. Parking is free and admission for adults is $5. Children under 13 are free.

Rally of Writers
Saturday, April 9
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
West Campus, LCC
5708 Cornerstone Dr., Lansing

Night for Notables Reception
Saturday, April 30
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing
libraryofmichiganfoundation.org/mnbnightfornotables